ipl-logo

Strengths And Weaknesses Of Humanism

786 Words4 Pages

This essay outlines two of the many perspectives used by psychologists to understand human behaviours, namely Humanism and Psychoanalysis. It gives a detailed discussion on the key factors of the two perspectives and also makes a distinction between such factors. The central ideas of the aforementioned perspectives are also discussed in the essay below together with the methods of discovery used to explore human behaviour. Furthermore, a comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of Humanism and Psychoanalysis are outlined in the paragraphs below.

The idea of Psychoanalysis was first brought about by Dr Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalysis was inspired by Freud’s interest and influence of Dr Breuer and held high interest in one of Dr Breuer’s patient …show more content…

131). Humanism has mostly to do with process and emphasizes on the Gestalt therapy (Scholl, Ray and Brady Amoon, 2013, pp. 218 and 219), which is an organized whole and views the individual in depth as well as includes different types of principles such as individualism, valuing subjective experiences and respecting the individual (Scholl et al.; 2013, p.218) in order to find deeper meaning and understanding to the individuals situation in order to improve it and create a bond/relationship with the patient. Through this the patient shows signs of improvement with regards to exploring ones self and pushes the patient to reach their full potential and to get in touch with their emotions. This leads to the different principles to actually start applying to the patient which leads to a point of self actualization (Scholl et al.; 2013, p.224). Self actualization could be seen as being a strength in humanism as getting in touch with emotions can be regarded as a difficult task, and by helping the patient understand the concept of controlling emotions or simply getting in touch with them is a strength of Humanism. On the other hand a weakness could possibly be the assumption that “person-centered therapists” are trustworthy since the beginning (Thorne, 2011, p. 134). Similarly many factors of Humanism are based on things people might necessarily not be …show more content…

The central focus of Psychoanalysis has to do with past experiences and sexual orientation and how each affects every decision the patient makes. (Freud, 1910, 180). It also has the “surrogate relation” to which same emotions from past experiences are replaced by a different memory making the patient get rid of pain through suppression of memory. On the other hand Humanism is based on the patient as being a whole and helping the patient succeeded by understanding the self concept and how person centered therapy needs to be match up to the actualizing tendency (Thorne, 2011,

Show More
Related

  • Carl Rogers: The Father Of Humanistic Psychology

    1059 Words  | 5 Pages

    It has influenced American psychology for decades. At first it was said that Humanistic Psychology was made to rebel against the two main schools of thought, it sought to show the importance of our consciousness and the view of our life’s. Humanistic psychology has influenced mainstream psychology so much that the field suffered an “identity crisis”. Humanism contributed to psychology and helped psychologists learn new ways of learning and thinking about mental health. It is also said that the influence of humanism might have not been so important anymore.

    Read More

  • The Psychodynamic Approach To Psychology

    1442 Words  | 6 Pages

    Whereas, “The Behaviourist perspective focuses on the role of the external environment in governing our actions” (Passer, 2009, p13) Sigmund Freud developed the extremely influential and controversial theory of psychoanalysis. Despite the controversy, he had a huge impact on the field of psychology

    Read More

  • Evaluatin Supper In John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

    1441 Words  | 6 Pages

    If man where aware of his selfishness how could he able to sacrifice some of his smaller ends for the sake of larger. Even granting that man sacrifices some of his smaller ends only because he is calculative weight the higher ends and evaluates them accordingly, does it not indicate, in some sense, that man is not utterly selfish and un improvably bad, Distinguishing between the smaller and the bigger end is synonymous with evaluating them and, to choose one against the other implies not merely that man has a capacity for evaluating alternatives but also that he is capable of directing his will on to accomplishing that he thinks desirable.” Reflecting along these lines we are unable to diagnose the social ill.

    Read More

  • Psychodynamic Theory

    2976 Words  | 12 Pages

    Introduction The aim of this paper is to integrate the philosophical and practical assumptions of psychoanalytic/psychodynamic and the person-centered school. Taking the psychodynamic approach as the core theoretical orientation, the propositions of other schools of psychotherapy may be integrated to formulate client problem as well as inform treatment. This paper will begin with outlining the key philosophies of the psychoanalytic/psychodynamic and person-centered approach, followed by their points of contact and opposition as well as their strengths and weakness. Secondly, an integrated framework may be briefly explained.

    Read More

  • Anthropology Appreciating Human Diversity Summary

    1019 Words  | 5 Pages

    Humanism is defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as a system of values and beliefs that is based on the idea that people are basically good an that problems can be solved using reason instead of religion and stresses and individual’s dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason. Toni Flores Fratto says: “The central focus, as we see it, of humanistic anthropology is the individual human being. Not culture, be it noted, and not society, which are vital and indispensable concepts but, after all, ultimately mediating factors. No, the focus is on the individual and, more specifically, on the individual’s striving for freedom and creativity within the confines and opportunities of nature, culture, and society” (“What is Humanistic Anthropology?”). The concept of humanistic anthropology is an important aspect to understand what makes anthropology humanistic by focusing on an individual’s experiences, capabilities, and purpose.

    Read More

  • Person Centered Therapy Essay

    2624 Words  | 11 Pages

    Abstract This paper focuses on person-centered therapy. Person-centered therapy is an approach to help individuals develop a sense of self. This therapy is different from others as the client is responsible for improving his own life, not the therapist. However, it is important for the therapist to create a conducive environment for the client so that the client feels safe and secure and will be at ease to share problems or issues during therapy sessions.

    Read More

  • Humanism Vs Transhumanism

    946 Words  | 4 Pages

    What is humanism itself? According to Corliss Lamont (as cited by Joseph Hansen, 2006), a leading proponent of modern humanism, humanism

    Read More

  • Carl Rogers: Person Centered Therapy

    2278 Words  | 10 Pages

    This positive outlook of human nature profoundly leads the practice of Rogers' person-centered therapy. Because of the idea that a person has an innate, inherent capacity to escape the wrath of maladjustment, and to enter the realm of psychological health, the primary responsibility is directed at the "client." Therefore, person-centered therapy is rooted in the client's capacity for awareness and his or her ability to make decisions (Corey, 1996). By viewing individuals in this positive light, the focus is geared toward what is right with the person and not on what is wrong with him or her.

    Read More

  • Sigmund Freud: The Second Wave Of Psychoanalysis

    1528 Words  | 7 Pages

    Psychoanalysis was first introduced by Sigmund Freud and is now known as classical psychoanalysis. The theory, as defined by Sigmund Freud, is the dynamic between underlying forces that determine behavior and personality. He stressed the importance of human sexuality, childhood experiences, and the unconscious processes. However, his theory was seen as misogynistic and narrow focused. Consequently, classical psychoanalysis was criticized and rejected by many scholars.

    Read More

  • Psychoanalytic Theories Of Human Personality Development

    2149 Words  | 9 Pages

    One of the similarities between the two is that the theories are founded based on the exploitation of personal experiences and the personal development of Freud and Maslow. According to the history of the psychology, it can be seen clearly that both Freud and Maslow found and explained their theories mainly based on their personal childhood experiences and also their personal experiences throughout their life without any conducting any scientific experiment, which caused the theories cannot be tested out by replicating any scientific experiment or research. On the other hand, another similarity between Freud’s psychoanalytic theories and Maslow’s humanistic theories are the differentiation of stages. Freud differentiated the psychosexual stages of development into several stages consist of the oral stage, anal stage, phallic stage, latent stage and genital stage (McLeod, 2013).

    Read More

  • Humanism: Human Rights And Social Justice

    1093 Words  | 5 Pages

    HumanismIt is about methodology of values and beliefs that is based on the idea that people are basically good and that problems can be solved using reason instead of religion. Humanism is a philosophy in a form of science and inspired by art, and motivated by compassion. Affirming the dignity of each human being, it supports the maximization of individual liberty, opportunity and responsibility. It advocates the extension of participatory democracy and the expansion of the open society, standing for human rights and social justice. Free of supernaturalism, it recognizes human beings as a part of nature and holds that values-be they religious, ethical, social, or political-have their source in human experience and culture.

    Read More

  • Limitations Of Psychoanalytic Therapy

    1590 Words  | 7 Pages

    Psychoanalytic Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) is reflected as the forefathers of psychology and founder of psychoanalysis. Based on Freud’s theories, psychoanalytic therapy is a type of treatment that tends to observe at the background from early childhood to perceive if these situations have affected the individual’s life, or to current issues. (Counselling Directory, 2014) This therapy discovers how the unconscious mind empowers thoughts and behaviors, with the purpose of offering insight and resolution to the person seeking therapy. This form of therapy is a long-term treatment whereby it can take duration up to weeks, months or even years depending on the complexity of the patient being explored.

    Read More

  • What Role Did Humanism Play In The High Renaissance

    836 Words  | 4 Pages

    Humanism is a system of thought that focuses on human and their values rather than centering on the religious beliefs. In other words humanism is when more importance is directed towards the need of the humans and towards rationalization and empiricism rather than sticking by the religious beliefs and ideologies (fideism). Humanism started spreading across Western Europe in 15th 16th and 17th century. However, in Italy the humanist approach received extensive success and acceptance. By the middle of the 15th century the influential classes In Italy had received their education in humanism and also started practicing it.

    Read More

  • Sigmund Freud's Theories Of Personality Development

    789 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sigmund Freud is Psychology’s most famous psychoanalysis. His work and theories have helped shape our views of personality, levels of consciousness and unconsciousness mind, the structure of personality and the development of personality. There are three aspects to Freud’s theory of personality structure and fives stages through the psychosexual development. The psyche

    Read More

  • Psychoanalytic Theory In Counseling

    1045 Words  | 5 Pages

    (Freud, 1949) Help is provided to the clients to enable them strengthen their EGO and protect it from being in any conflict between their ID and SUPEREGO. This theory is used to rectify the client’s character and their system of personality if found to have issues. The theory aims at making the unconscious, conscious by releasing the repressed emotions and experiences. Psychoanalytic theory also aims at helping clients work through their developmental stages not previously resolved well to solve the problem of fixation.

    Read More

More about Strengths And Weaknesses Of Humanism

Open Document